In Dvaita Vedanta, liberation—or moksha—is the soul’s eternal, blissful residence in the company of Vishnu, marked by perpetual service and the absence of all suffering. Unlike a merger with the divine, it’s more like being welcomed into a royal court: the individual self remains distinct, yet enjoys full access to the Lord’s grace, radiance, and joy.

Attainment of moksha hinges on three pillars. First comes śravaṇa—listening to the Vedas and Madhvacharya’s commentaries—to firmly establish the dualist outlook that God and jiva are forever different. Next is manana, when reflection deepens that insight, dissolving doubts “by leaps and bounds.” Finally, nidhidhyāsana involves steady meditation on the Lord’s attributes, so that worship becomes second nature, akin to breathing.

Devotional practice blossoms through nine forms of bhakti—hearing, chanting, remembering, serving God’s lotus feet, friendship, worship, prostration, obeying divine commands, and accepting hardships for His sake. This heart-and-soul commitment transforms ritual actions into meaningful steps toward liberation. While karma (ritual duties) and jñāna (intellectual understanding) lay the groundwork, they’re like preparatory training; true freedom arrives when divine grace embraces the devoted soul.

Madhvacharya’s emphasis on śakti—God’s power to uplift—underscores that human effort and divine will work hand in glove. Even as dedication deepens, it’s ultimately Vishnu’s compassion that opens the final door. Recent gatherings, such as the 2024 symposium on Indian philosophy at Oxford, have highlighted how Dvaita’s stress on personal relationship with God remains strikingly relevant in an age craving authentic connection.

In daily life, turning everyday actions into offerings—sharing a meal, helping a friend—becomes practice ground for unwavering bhakti. Step by step, the jiva sheds attachment to impermanent pleasures and, with Vishnu’s grace lighting the way, arrives at moksha’s eternal dawn.